USA > New York > Westchester County > History of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the county of Westchester, from its foundation, 1693, to 1853 > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62
117
AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER.
he lived in times of martyrdom, there is not that thing which he thought it his duty to say or do, which he would have left un- said or undone, or the act or word which he deemed inconsist- ent with the most rigid demands of duty and of conscience, which he would have done or said to save his life. His was a piety and virtue which would have remained unmoved, when those more boasted might have found plausible excuses for giving way. The unrivalled venerableness of his appearance, for many years past, added to the worth, dignity, and sanctity of his charac- ter, invested his public ministrations with a deep and peculiar interest. It was to him that reference was made in the beautiful lines entitled ' The Watchman,' published in the Christian Journal for December, 1826."ª
THE WATCHMAN.
" It was the day of Christians' prayer .- A few Had met in chapel built in olden time, For Christian worship .- He, the good old man, Was at the altar, and his generous blood Was in the veins of those who knelt around, To the third and fourth degree. Time had thinn'd His locks, but had not wholly wasted them ; Yet what remained were loosely scattered o'er His brow, and hung in light, thin curls about His neck, and waved in every lightest breath ; Ripened they seemed, and fit for ready harvest ; Whiter were they than the wreath of foam Which binds the brow of the broad cataract .-
The pious man had been at prayers with all His people, and his countenance was white As was his lawn ; and as you gazed upon His face, it paler grew, with his devotions, And brighter still the fancy made it seem Like that which Peter saw the Son of man Did wear, when saints come down from heaven to hold Converse with him upon the mountain height.
I saw the reverend man of age ascend The pulpit, with his raiment changed-His step Was feeble, and infirm, and slow ; and when
* The lines referred to in the above sketch, were taken from a Vermont paper. Mr. Wilkins was 83 years, of age when the author heard him preach.
118
HISTORY OF THE PARISH
He reached the height, he sank as if exhausted ; And as he rose he trembled-not because The eyes of mortal man were on him fixed ; Nor yet because he stood before his God- But yet he trembled-age was on his limbs That half refused their office-but he rose, A watchman on a tower; and you might see His reverend figure, which before was bent With weight of years, now animate, erect, And lifted to the height of youthful prime, And clothed with dignity of one that came With message from the sky. Slowly he stretch'd His trembling hand, as in affection, o'er The people of his charge, and with a voice That faltered, though its aged tones were full, Announced his text-' Watchman, what of the night ?'
Who that hath seen a boy, green in his youth, Whose soul of pure devotion, purified By fire that burned on God's own altar, has From that holy thing, the pulpit, shot down On hoary heads beneath him, light from heaven To guide, or terrors from the damned to warn: Who that hath seen and heard him, hath not
felt
A conscious shuddering run thro' all his blood ? But when the Patriarch of his people rose, Whose foot was sinking in the grave on which It rested, while his hand reached heaven's towers,
To which the hand of angels stretched, to lift Him, their pure brother, to the skies, soon as His work was ended ; and when to his text, With tones almost unearthly, that did seem To come from other worlds, the old man gave This answer-' I, the watchman, tell you true, The morning cometh and the night also.'
I Alı say, what heart that heard it did not sink Within his bosom at the threatening word ! O Watchman, venerable man ! thy night Of earthly pilgrimage must even be past ; And true thy morning cometh, which the night Shall never, never darken or obscure."
Rochester, August. D. D. B .*
Christian Journal No. 12, Dec. 1826, p. 400.
119
AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER.
"From the year 1801, until, in 1821, he was obliged, by the in- firmities of age, to decline ; Dr. Wilkins was uniformly returned as a clerical deputy from the diocese of New-York, to the General Convention, and attended the greater number of the meetings of that body. There, as in the diocesan convention, he was the able and enlightened advocate of sound principles of ecclesiastical pol- ity, and of such measures as in his conscience he believed to be the most agreeable to them. Indeed, never had the Church a more disinterested friend. He overlooked ail selfish considera- tions, tending either to personal ease, or to the gratification of receiving human commendation or applause, and went directly to the point, whither he thought himself drawn by duty and by conscience. The strength of his faith, and the clearness of his religious views, were eminently conspicuous during the pro- gress of a most painful and distressing disorder towards its fatal termination. His mind unclouded, and his heart strengthened and sanctified by the grace of God, he saw no terror in death, but anxiously, and yet meekly and resignedly, desired its more speedy approach. The thought of being soon translated to Paradise not only soothed and supported him, but ministered to the con- stitutional and Christian cheerfulness which had characterized him through life. At length the kind and gracious summons came, and rarely has a soul departed stronger in the faith, richer in the hope, and more sincere and affectionate in the genuine charity, of the Gospel, than that which then entered on the great salvation purchased by the blood of the everlasting covenant."a
On April the 27th, 1830, the
REV. WILLIAM POWELL, B. A.,
having been assistant minister to Dr. Wilkins, for nearly a year, was called to the rectorship. He was the son of John Powell, of Dublin, Ireland, whose family were originally seated in Wales. He was born in Dublin, A. D. 1788, where he received his educa- tion, some say in Trinity College. In 1808 he came tothis country under the patronage and guardianship of a Mr. Adamson, his
· Christian Journal No. 3, March, 1830. p. 94.
120
HISTORY OF THE PARISH
maternal uncle, then a respectable merchant of New-York. He studied divinity under the late Rev. Edmund Barry, D. D. and was ordained deacon by the Rt. Rev. Benjamin Moore, D. D. in 1810. He soon after removed to the charge of St. Andrew's Church, Coldenham, Orange county, and St. George's Church, Newburgh ; and in the former, on Tuesday, June 29th, 1813, was admitted by the Right Rev. John H. Hobart, assistant bishop of the dio- cese, to the holy order of priests. In May, 1816, he took pastoral charge of St. John's Church, Yonkers, and on the 12th of July, 1829, settled as assistant minister in this parish, in the charge of which he afterwards remained as rector, until the day of his death. In connection with his pastoral duties, he main- tained for many years, a flourishing school for the education of boys, from which many have gone forth, who can bear testimo- ny to his excellence and worth. "Mr. Powell (says one who knew him for forty-one years) was a most sincere and devoted friend. He had all the traits of cordiality, kindness and benev- olence, so usually belonging to the best of his countrymen."- He departed this life on Sunday, the 29th day of April, 1849, at the residence of his brother-in law, Stephen Cambreling, Esq., in New-York city. He was the fourth minster that died rector of this parish, and the third buried in this town. His remains were brought to Westchester, and interred in the grave-yard, on the south side of St. Peter's Church. The following is the inscrip- tion on his tombstone :-
Died On the 29th of April, 1849, the REV. WILLIAM POWELL, Rector of the St. Peter's Church, Westchester, "in the 61st year of his age.
" Blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord ; (even so saith the spirit) for they rest from their labours."
St. Peter's Church, Westchester-Erected A. D. 1855.
-
L
Scale linch - 42 feet
Ground plan of St. Peter's Church.
[To face page 131.]
121
AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER.
The vacancy created by the death of Mr. Powell, the vestry proceeded immediately to fill, by electing the
REV. CHARLES D. JACKSON, A. M.
at that time assistant Minister, to the rectorship, June 28th, 1849. Soon after his entrance on his parish duties, measures were adop- ted, for the building of a new parsonage, on the glebe in the place of the old one,a which was effected, ata cost of six thousand dollars.
Active measures have also been taken, for the erection of a new parish church, upon or near the old site, towards which pious work fifteen thousand dollars have already been contributed .- The work is now under contract. The present Church edifice was erected in 1790, on the site of the old Church, and conse- crated upon the 9th of December, 1795, by the Rt. Rev. Samuel Provoost, D. D. bishop of the diocese. It is a neat wooden struc- ture, surmounted by a cupola.b The latter contains the origi- nal bell, presented to the Church, by Col. Lewis Morris, of Mor-
Rectory of St. Peter's Church.
* In 1799, " It was resolved, that the parsonage house and glebe be repaired by the Churchwardens as soon as a fund be formed for that purpose."
b At a vestry meeting, 17th January, 1793, " It was resolved to build a desk and pulpit for the use of the Church, correspondent, with the sounding board given to this Church, by the Corporation of Trinity Church, N. Y." On the 1st of August 1791, Mr. Samuel Bayard presented the silver oval seal, now used by the Vestry.
122
HISTORY OF THE PARISH
risania, in 1706. Round the lip may be traced in capital letters, " LEWIS MORRIS, 1677."
The communion plate consists of a chalice and paten, the gift of Queen Anne, A. D. 1706, inscribed :- " ANNÆ REGINA."
This noble lady, who for the Church's sake, once merited the name of the "Good Queen Anne," also presented a church bible, book of homilies, cloth for the pulpit, and communion table.
Annæ Regina®
On the south side of the church, is a plain stone tablet, to the memory of Dr. Wilkins. A monument on the north side, re- cords the death of his wife.a
Sacred to the memory of MRS. ISABELLA WILKINS, The humble handmaid and faithful worshipper of God her Saviour,
* This lady was a sister of Lewis Morris, a signer of the Declaration of Indepen- dence. See Hist. of Westchester, vol. ii. 284.
123
AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER.
She died the 31st of October, A. D. 1810, in the 64th year of her age, and lies buried here. This monument in conjugal love is raised and inscribed, by her grateful, faithful and affectionate husband.
, And now Lord ! what is our hope ? Truly our hope is ever in thee.
In the vestry room are memorials of the Hoffman, Wilkins and Turnbull families.
To St. Peter's church is attached a portion of the old Glebe, which was given by the Town in 1703, consisting of ten acres, and a rectory. The former parish house or parsonage, which was purchased by the vestry in 1763, stood at no great distance from the present edifice.
PRINCIPAL BENEFACTORS OF ST. PETER'S CHURCH.
Queen Anne, Col. Benjamin Fletcher, Edward Viscount Corn- bury, Col. James Graham, Col. Caleb Heathcote, Col. Lewis Morris, the Venerable Propagation Society, the Reverend John Bartow, the Borough Town of Westchester, Basil Bartow,a Abijah Hammond, George Lorillard, and the Corporation of Trinity Church, New-York. The latter have made the fol- lowing liberal grants to this Church, viz : in 1795, the sum of $750; in 1796, $500, and in 1809, five lots of ground in Reade, Chamber and Warren streets, New-York. The church still owns four of these lots, the present value of which is $55,000.b It deserves to be mentioned, however, that this
· Mr. Bartow, by his will dated 16th of Dec. 1780, bequeathed " unto-the Min- ister, Churchwardens and Vestrymen for the time being of the Incorporated Church of England, known by the name of St. Peter's Church, in the borough Town of Westchester, the sum of £50 towards building a new church in said borough Town, or repairing or enlarging the present church, for the worship of Almighty God, to be paid to them when they shall actually engage in said work." This will was proved on the 11th of March, 1781. Surrogate's Office, N. Y. Fol. XXXV b "In 1807 the sum of $1,950 was raised by St. Peter's Church, tendered to, and accepted by Trinity Church, for the lots conveyed by their corporation, to the ves- try of St. Peter's. One of the above lots was taken by the Corporationof N. Y., for widening Chapel St., and the award applied to the erection of gallery pews, and the carriage shed.
124
HISTORY OF THE PARISH
parish contributed one half of the original value of the lots.
The first delegate from this parish to the Diocesan Conven- tion in 1790, was Joseph Brown, M. D.
TOMBSTONES.
The churchyard wh with the settlement of the village, contains numerous interments,a Among the earliest are the following :
"Here lyeth the body of William -- , Esq., aged 50 years, deceased March 27th, 1702. H. 1718. P. B. o. 1727."
" In memory of Philip Honeywell, Esq. He died of a linger- ing illness, at Greenburgh, on the 8th day of September, 1813, in the 53rd year of his age. He was an active character during the Revolutionary War. He lived respected and died regretted. Anne Eustace, his wife, died May 11, 1811, ætat 50."
"Look on this stone and you will find, My journey's o'er, and your's behind ; Think then, before you turn away, That yours may end before this day."
PEW HOLDERS IN 1790.
The following names appear on the minutes, of individuals who purchased pews in August, 1790, viz .- James Ferris, John Bartow, Jr., Philip Livingston, Stephen Bartow, Elizabeth Har- rison, John Valentine, Jonathan Fowler, William Hunt, Marcus Baxter, Solomon Baxter, Isaac Valentine, Jr., Peter Bussing, Elizabeth Williams, Augustus Bartow, David Huestace, Ebene- zer Legget, Phinehas Hunt, Anthony Bartow, Israel Underhill,
· John Ferris, of the Borough Town of Westchester, in his last will, dated 9th of May, 1715, directs : "As also the land lying betwixt the Highway that leads to Thomas Haden's mill, and the way that leads from Broncke's to Henry Bank's, with a fifty pound privilege of commonage, and also all that my land at Broncke's containing 24 acres, be it more or less. But, be it provided always, that there shall be a rod square, free, for all friends and friendly people to bury their dead in th place where they formerly buried, without any let, hindrance, or molestation what soever." Surrogates Office, N. Y., folio viii. p. 391.
125
AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER.
Anthony L. Underhill, 2 seats, Israel Underhill, Israel Honeywell, John Doty, Robert Tucker, William Smith, Thomas Bartow, Benjamin Roe, Joseph Brown, Lewis Graham, Robert Watts, John Bartow, Benjamin Ferris, Samuel Bayard, Warren de Lancey, 2 seats, Thomas Hunt, John Cox.a
RECTORES DE WEST CHESTER.
TEMP. INST. RECTORES. VACAT. PATRONS.
19 Nov. 1702, Rev. John Bartow, Cl. A. M. pr mort. War. and Ves.
8 July, 1727, Rev. Thomas Standard, Cl. A. M. per mort. "
12 June, 1761, Rev. John Milner, Cl. A. M. per resig.
3 Dec. 1766, Rev. Samuel Seabury, Cl. A. M.
2 Jan. 1792, Rev. Theodosius Bartow, Presb. " 66
20 Aug. 1794, Rev. John Ireland, Presb. A. M. “
9 Mar. 1799, Rev. Isaac Wilkins, Presb. D. D. per mort.
17 April, 1830, Rev. William Powell, Presb. B. A. “ 66 28 June, 1849, Rev. Charles D. Jackson, Presb. A. M. present incumbent.
John Mitney.
* With regard to the rights of pew holders we copy the following from Dr. Gregory's speech, (in the Diocesan Convention of W. N. Y.,) advocating the resolutions as reported in the Syracuse Daily Star :- " The Trustees of Churches have no right to sell pews. If they pretend to give deeds of sale by which pews are conveyed in fee to individuals, such deeds are no better than blank paper. (see Barbour's Supreme Court Reports, viii., 135.) The only right that can be ac- quired, is the right for a compensation to occupy a certain seat during the public worship.
The Vestry or Trustees retain the right to alter or even destroy the scat for the good of the congregation. The seats, therefore, can only be rented or hired for a term of years. The lessee has no absolute property in his pew, and no right to shut it up, or to exclude others from it when not occupied by himself."
b Extract from the Admission Book of Christ's College, Cambridge, 1689. " Jan. 31. mo. Joannes Bartow, Thomæ filius in lucein editus apud Crediton in Comi- tatu Devoniensi literis ibidem institutus a Mro. Gregory annos natus sedecem. Admissus Sizator sub Mro. Lovett."
126
HISTORY OF THE PARISH
NOTITIA PAROCHIALIS.
A. D. 1703. Baptisms, 50.
Communicants, 12.
-
1728,
52,
66
30.
1761,
47,
16.
66 1763, 66
87,
66
53.
66
1774,
49,
66
25.
66 1806,
18,
16
40.
1815,
14,
60.
1832,
28,
46.
1844,
13,
40.
1852,
66
32,
66
100.
The Baptismal Register of this Parish commences in 1703. March 4th. 1702., then baptized by Mr. John Bartow, Rector of West Chester, John Haden, aged 41 years ; John Haden, son of said John Haden, aged 17 years ; Abagail Haden, aged 16 years ; Samuel Haden, aged 13 years ; Thomas Haden, aged 8 years ; Elizabeth Haden, aged 11 years ; Joseph Haden, aged 1 year and 7 months, &c., &c.
THE SOCIETY'S SCHOOLMASTERS AT WESTCHESTER.
TIME OF APPT.
SCHOOLMASTERS.
SALARY.
1710,
Daniel Clarke,
£18 per annum.
1713,
Charles Glover,
66
66
1719, . William Forster,
£10
66
1743,
Basil Bartow,
66
1764,
Nathaniel Seabury,
66
66
1768,
George Youngs,
66
1774,
Mr. Gott,
NOTITIA SCHOLASTICA.
1719, Number of Scholars, 1721, 30
35.
1710,
41,
127
AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER.
In 1703 the number of families belonging to this Parish, were 40 or 50. In 1724 they were computed at 200.
In 1702, the number of inhabitants were 200.
" 1712, 572.
" 1840, (prior to its division) 4,154.
" 1S50, (since the division) 2,443 .
NAMES OF PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN ELECTED WARDENS OF ST. PETERS CHURCH.
1695 to 1701.
Caleb Heathcote, Edward Waters.
1702.
Caleb Heathcote,
1703.
Josiah Hunt.
John Drake, Daniel Clark.
1705.
Henry Fowler,
1706.
Josiah Hunt, Sen.
1707.
Josiah Hunt, Sen. 1708.
John Drake.
Josian Hunt, Sen. Edmund Ward.
1709.
Daniel Clark, Jeremiah Fowler.
1710 to 1721. .
· Joseph Hunt,
Jeremiah Fowler. No records from 1721 to 1761. :1761.
Samuel Sneden, John Hunt.
1762.
Isaac Willett,
Nathaniel Underhill sen.
Josiah Hunt.
James Graham,
1704.
Daniel Clark.
John Drake,
12S
HISTORY OF THE PARISH
No records from this date. until the close of the war. Trustees from 17SS to 1795.
1795.
Israel Underhill, 1796.
Philip I. Livingston.
Philip I. Livingston,
1797.
Israel Underhill,
179S.
Israel Underhill,
1799.
Israel Underhill,
1500-1.
Philip I. Livingston.
Philip I. Livingston.
1802.
Israel Underhill.
Israel Underhill,
Philip I. Livingston.
1503-4.
Israel Underhill,
James Morris.
1805.
James Morris, Robert Watts. 1906-7-S-9-10-11-12-13-14.
Robert Watts, James Morris. 1915-16-17-18-19-20.
James Morris, Abijah Hammond.
1521-2.
James Morris, Joshua Waddington.
1823.
Joshua Waddington. James Morris.
1824-5-6-7.
James Morris. Joshua Waddington.
1828-9.
Abijah Hammond, George Lorillard.
1930-1.
Robert Morris.
Abijah Hammond,
Robert Morris.
1933.
Valentine Nutter.
Robert Morris,
Israel Underhill.
Samuel Bayard.
Nicholas Bayard.
George Lorillard, 1832.
129
AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER.
1834-5-6.
Valentine Nutter, Robert Morris.
1837 to 1840.
Francis Baretto, Richard Hunt.
1810 to 1843.
Francis Baretto, James De Wolfe.
1843 to 1844.
Francis Baretto, Robert R. Morris.
1844 to 1850.
Francis Baretto, Elnathan Hawkins.
1850 to 1853.
Francis Baretto, Gouverneur M. Wilkins.
C:
SIGIL
DENT: LIS
D
D
S
Seal of St. Peter's Church, presented by Samuel Bayard Esq., A. D. 1791.
9
HISTORY
OF THE
PARISH AND CHURCH OF RYE.
THIS parish, which formerly included the three townships of Rye, Bedford and Mamaroneck, was originally embraced in the great purchase of " Ubiequaeshook," or " Weckquaskeck,"a made by the Dutch West India Company, of the Indians, in the year of our Lord 1640. "In order (says the historian of the State) to maintain the character and privileges, of the West India Company, Kieft dispatched secretary Van Tienhoven, early in the spring of 1640, with instructions to purchase the ‘Ar- chipelago,' or group of islands, at the mouth of the Norwalk River together with all the adjoining territory on the main land, and to erect thereon, the standard and arms of the High and Mighty Lords, the States General ; to take the savages under our protec- tion ; and to prevent effectually, any other nation encroaching on our limits. These directions were executed, and the West India Company thus obtained the Indian title to all the lands, between Norwalk and the North River, comprehending much of the present County of Westchester."b
The aborigines however, still continued to maintain posses- sion, for in the year 1660, the lands of Rye or Poningoe, were in the tenour of "Shanasock well" or " Shanorocke" (as he subse- quently signed his name,) an independent chieftain of the Siwa-
· Weckquaskeck (in pure Algonquin Weec-quæs-guck) signifies the place of the bark kettle. In the Delaware language Wi-qua-jeek, denotes the head of a creek or run.
Brodhead's History of the State of New-York, First Period, 1609-1664, p. 296.
131
AND CHURCH OF RYE.
noys, whose clan formed a portion, if not one of the Mohegan tribes itself, of the "Seacoast."
Poningoe, the Indian name of Rye, is supposed to be derived from Ponus, the title of an early aboriginal proprietor of this territory. The final termination oe or ong, denoting locality .- Thus the whole word may emphatically express the place or locality, of that sachem's residence.
It was not until ten years after the provisional arrangement of boundaries between New Netherland and New England, by Governour Stuyvesant, and the New England Commissioners in 1650, that a permanent settlement was made in Rye, by a num- ber of Puritans from the east.
On the 29th day of June, 1660, John Coe, Peter Disbrow and Thomas Studwell, purchased the Island of Mennewies or Manus- sing, of the Indian Sagamore, Shanasockwell and other In- dians, for eight coats, seven shirts, and fifteen fathom of wam- pum.
To the Island village, its new proprietors gave the name of Hastings. Purchases on the main soon followed, and the village of Rye was commenced in 1663.
In the year 1683, Rye was annexed to the Province of New- York, but it was not till 1731, that the lines between the two colonies were established as they now exist.
The first religious society of Rye was Congregational, at that time, the established religion of the Colony of Connecticut.
" Rye and Westchester," says Humphreys, " as soon as they had fixed the civil magistracy, they did establish a public worship of God ; and suitable to this prudent, as well as religious proce- dure, the Colony throve apace, &c. But when the Independents found themselves fixed in power, they began to enact a rigid con- formity to their manner of worship. Men of all persuasions but their own, were styled opprobiously sectaries, and tho' they had declared at first for moderation, and a general liberty of consci- ence, they, notwithstanding, banished and drove out of the coun- try the Quakers, the Antinomian and Familistical Parties."a
. An Historical account of the Incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, &c. by David Humphreys, D. D. Sec. to the Honorable Society. London, printed by Joseph Downing, MDCCXXX.
132
HISTORY OF THE PARISH
" By authority it had been enacted that no persons within the colony should embody themselves in church estate without the consent of the general court. The law also prohibited any minis- try being attended by the inhabitants, in any plantation distinct and separate from that which was established in the place ; ex- cept by the approbation of the general court and the neighbouring churches. One object of these laws was doubtless to prevent Baptists, Episcopalans and others from gaining a foothold."a
"As early as!1660," says the historian Trumbull, "Rye paid taxes for the support of religion, although no church was formed, nor pastors ordained. Greenwich and Rye, continues the same authority, " were but just come under the jurisdiction of Connec- ticut, and not in circumstances for the support of ministers ; they had occasional preaching only for a considerable time."b
" At a town meeting held in Rye, November 17th, 1670, the town made choice of Joseph Horton, Thomas Brown, and John Brondig, who are to do their endeavour to procure a minister." It was also agreed, for to allow "two pence in the pound for the maintenance of a minister amongst us ; that is to say an ortho- dox minister."c From the following document, however, it appears that the town had not succeeded in procuring a minister :- " May the 11th, 1671, at a Court of Assembly holden at Hartford, Captain Nathan Gold, Thomas Fitch, Mr. Holly, Lieut. Richard Olm- stead, and Mr. John Burr, they, or any three of them, are desired to repair to the said Rye, as soon as may be, and to endeavour a comfortable composure and issue of such differences as are among the people there, and to use their endeavours in procuring a minister, and comfortably settling of him in the plantation of Rye. Then the Court doth empower the aforesaid committee to agree with a suitable man for that work in that place, and to agree with him for maintenance to the value of £40 per annum, which the Treasurer, by warrant to the Constable of said Rye,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.